Opening ceremony of the Asian Games in Doha. Friday, December 1, 2006
A rally by around 1 million of the supporters of Lebanon’s opposition parties. Friday, December 1, 2006
What a day! And what a day to watch TV!
Qatar, a tiny country (“slightly smaller than Connecticut”, “mostly flat and barren desert covered with loose sand and gravel”) took another dramatic step to world stage stardom, with a magnificent, dazzling spectacle which was the opening ceremony of the Asian Games 2006. Qatar, already famous for hosting Al Jazeera, as well as one of the largest US Air Force bases in the world and its status as the 11th richest country (per capita) in the world, has showed itself as a modern, confident, world-open and capable country.
One may dismiss all of this as the result of having an infinite supply of money. But there is no escaping the fact that the eyes of Asia, the most populous continents on earth, were on Doha, Qatar tonight.
Qatari flags were mixed with the numerous flags of Asian countries as 50,000 spectators cheered in the Khalifa Stadium, and billions around the world watched on their screen.
Just hours earlier there was another crowd waving flags, Lebanese this time. Around 1 million people rallied in Beirut to shout down the government of Fouad Siniora, in the latest episode of Lebanon’s ongoing political crisis that threatens to tear the country apart.
Lebanon today displayed its confusing political landscape. It’s a country apparently split evenly between two political camps that can’t find the way forward. Lebanon, an educated, cultured and naturally beautiful country seems on the verge of breakdown.
Doha tonight, and Beirut this afternoon. Apple and oranges, maybe? Or is there room for comparison?
What do those two images say about the Arab world world. What do they say about Arab Republics and Arab Shiekhdoms, and about where this region of ours is heading. Confusing times!
Comments
5 responses to “Asia comes together in Qatar, while Lebanon falls apart”
They don’t have to say anything. When the roman empire broke up did people in rome look at spain and say what are our brothers doing there and why ? was it called the roman world ? did they form a league that never did anything ?
its really confusing!
Lebanon shows Arabs still can make a change. Doha says Qatar has lots of gas and oil.
I disagree Bono: in lebanon, it shows that syria is still capable of disrupting normal life and in Doha, america says gas money can make wonders
I disagree. I am an American, was in Quatar during the Asian Games and was stunned of what Quataris are capable of. Lebanon will be the same always, so wars will be wars, and the tiny country Quatar showing rest of the world the image of their people, the Emir himself, its amazing. Guys, I was very pleased while i was there. for the rest of you who does not know Quatar, it is going to be the next real Dubai.